1
2
as in to shift
to change one's position
the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
news coverage of the fire stirred many to send donations to a fund for the families who had lost their homes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the plane's first jolt caused a stir among the passengers, and by the third one they were in a panic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shifting
the act or an instance of changing position
we were warned that the slightest stir would scare the mother bird so we hardly dared to breathe
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as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
the mule had just got out of stir and was being followed by the feds, who had their sights set on the kingpin of the operation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of stir
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
As colonial-era conflicts resurface, strange events unfold: spirits return, black magic stirs, and the legacy of empire haunts the land.
—Marcus Lim, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
Lily Allen‘s new album West End Girl is causing a stir online.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stir
Verb
Working in batches, fry the onions in the oil for about 5 minutes per batch, stirring often until golden brown.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
As colonial-era conflicts resurface, strange events unfold: spirits return, black magic stirs, and the legacy of empire haunts the land.
—Marcus Lim, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Maintaining with LaMelo Ball’s name popped up on the injury report Friday night, causing more than a slight stir among the team’s weary fan base because of the star guard’s injury history.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
Lily Allen‘s new album West End Girl is causing a stir online.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stir
Verb
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Intrigue continues to swirl about where a future ballpark, and associated new development, could go after Jackson County voters rejected a sales tax in 2024 that would have helped fund a site in the Crossroads.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
3 Nov. 2025
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But for months, rumors that he was accused of espionage have been swirling inside Cuba.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Marcus is all about new beginnings and is shifting his energy to his DJ career and social life, but will need to learn if his fresh perspective and newfound career ambitions will strengthen his relationship or strain it.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
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When states eliminate religious, philosophical and other nonmedical vaccine exemptions, childhood vaccination rates increase – without parents simply shifting to medical exemptions.—
Anthony Bald,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However, this year's ad has provoked widespread criticism, with some even calling for a boycott of Sephora.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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These characters are so thin, their storylines so flimsy and their motives so underbaked that there’s no recognizable emotion underlying any of it, and thus no feeling to be provoked by watching it.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Employees unable to properly wash their hands and food storage units that can’t keep the hot food hot or the cold food cold got a West Miami-Dade bakery in hot water with state inspectors.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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After assisting a customer, an employee put on gloves and scooped ice from the ice machine without washing their hands.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The buttery-soft fabric is lightweight and stretchy enough to move with you while still retaining its shape over time.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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On top of that responsibility and stress, he was frustrated with the Blazers’ losing and his role moving forward.—
Jason Quick,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Her administration has encouraged the siting of data centers in Michigan through sales and use tax exemptions.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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For example, toddlers will benefit from toys that encourage them to build gross motor skills and work on early speech and literacy skills.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Chartering a speedboat, we were whisked into the bay, a spellbinding expanse of calm, amniotic water dotted with more than 50 tiny islands and pristine beaches that called to mind castaway fantasies.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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Video shows the chase became futile when the suspect jumped into a waiting car and was whisked away.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The effect remained strong even when cells were stimulated with TGFβ, a major fibrosis-triggering molecule.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Oct. 2025
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The third-quarter data — which indicates an unexpected economic resiliency — comes ahead of the European Central Bank's next monetary policy decision, due later Thursday, and removes any immediate pressure on the central bank to cut rates to stimulate the economy.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stir. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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